Description
Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort food dish with tender chicken, sweet honey, bold black pepper, and rich homemade sauce—perfect for dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- 12 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1–1½ tsp coarse black pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt to taste
- Optional: fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Season chicken with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and a drizzle of honey. In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest, then slice or cube.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add milk and cream while whisking. Bring to a simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Add 2 tbsp honey and black pepper. Season with salt to taste.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce, stirring until fully coated. Add pasta water to thin sauce if needed.
- Fold in chicken pieces. Stir well to combine and heat through.
- Serve hot with fresh basil, extra black pepper, or a drizzle of honey if desired.
Notes
- Use rotisserie or leftover chicken to save time.
- Adjust honey and pepper to taste for perfect sweet-spicy balance.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and texture.
- To reheat, add a splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy.
- Add cooked vegetables like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Honey Pepper Chicken Mac and Cheese, creamy mac and cheese, sweet and spicy pasta, comfort food, chicken pasta dinner
